Oulton Academy pupils present their green jobs plan to the Mayor of West Yorkshire

Pupils from  Oulton Academy presented their ideas about how to get more young people interested in jobs that help save the planet to the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin. 

The group from Oulton Academy were among 174 young people who took part in innovative activities that will help bring green jobs to life for young people.    

Year 9 pupils Imogen, William, Evie and Eve spoke to the Mayor about their idea and presented it to the Taskforce.

Tracy Brabin, the Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:

“I was absolutely bowled over by the presentation from Imogen, Evie, Eve and William, and by their knowledge, enthusiasm and passion.

“As we work towards creating a net zero carbon region, it’s so important that we listen to how young people want to shape West Yorkshire’s future and the jobs that will be created.”

The Green Jobs Taskforce is chaired by the Mayor and brings together experts from business, education and training, and the third and public sectors. They aim to position West Yorkshire as a leader for green skills and jobs and set out how to deliver the skills and jobs needed to address the climate emergency. 

The Taskforce will also help to shape recommendations, helping to deliver the Mayor’s pledge to create 1,000 new green jobs for young people by 2024. 

The Taskforce recently welcomed a new member, Phil Holdgate, the Head of Production Sustainability at ITV Studios. 

He said: “With our long history of TV Production in the region, I am proud to be representing ITV Studios at the Green Jobs Taskforce, and also to provide a voice for the creative and culture sectors.  

“It is important to have a diverse range of perspectives and experiences in this conversion will ensure a robust, yet fair transition aligned with achieving our collective net zero goals.  

“The creative industry can help communicate, amplify and accelerate West Yorkshire to a brighter tomorrow, where every job can become a green job both directly as employers, and via our local supply chains.” 

The West Yorkshire Green Skills Youth Programme is delivered in partnership with Ahead Partnership. 

Stephanie Burras CBE, chief executive of Ahead Partnership, said: 

“Now more than ever, businesses are focused on futureproofing and looking at how they can deliver on long-term environmental commitments. A big part of this means ensuring that we have the right skilled workers in this region."

“By connecting the dots between young people’s passion for and investment in the net zero agenda and their thinking around future careers from an early stage, we are providing information and inspiration to help them pursue rewarding green careers. This type of activity also supports the development of those key employability skills including teamwork, critical thinking, research and analysis, creative thinking, advocacy and communication which we have seen from all of the young people involved in this innovative programme.” 

For more information about the West Yorkshire Green Skills Taskforce visit the Combined Authority website.